Image caption
Jess Phillips said the judge’s comments sent a “dangerous” message

Judge Richard Mansell said his decision on the sentence was guided by the fact he was “not convinced [Bashir’s then wife] was a vulnerable person” as she was “an intelligent woman with a network of friends” and a degree.

Despite acknowledging the attacks had an “ongoing effect” on his victim’s ability to trust people, he sentenced Bashir, who played cricket for Oldham, to 18 months, suspended for two years.

Speaking to the BBC, which has agreed not to use her name, Bashir’s ex-wife said she was “disappointed in the comments which the judge made about my vulnerability”.

She added: “I am a confident and strong woman because of what I have suffered. I was suffering for my life but the judge didn’t believe me.”

‘Dangerous’ messsage

The judge also ordered Bashir to attend a workshop entitled ”building better relationships”, pay £1,000 costs and banned him from contacting his ex wife indefinitely.

Ms Phillips, who is MP for Birmingham Yardley, said the judge’s comments sent a “dangerous” message and she would be raising the case with the attorney general.

“Your vulnerability and your risk is a completely dynamic thing,” she said.

“Everybody has a dynamic risk, I’ve met women who went on to be murdered who had law degrees, who were very eminent business people.

“There’s no category that domestic violence does not touch. It does not follow class lines, it does not follow race lines, it does not follow age lines.”

Contract claim

An apparent defence claim, noted by the judge, that a prison sentence would have lost Bashir a contract with Leicestershire County Cricket Club (LCCC) has been rejected by the club, which denies it has ever been in contact with Bashir.

The CPS said: “We are aware of recent developments relating to this case and are currently considering our options.”

Ms Soubry, who represents Broxtowe in Nottinghamshire, said: “Police need to get a statement from LCCC.

“They may want to consider whether any other charge needs to be brought if the defendant has deliberately advanced something that is not true to reduce the sentence and/or keep him out of prison.”

While the offence is not one where the sentence can be referred to the Court of Appeal as “unduly lenient”, the judge has 56 days to recall it if doubt is cast on the grounds for the sentence.

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